Scholarship & Grant Opportunities for 2020–21
Photo: 401(K) 2012 / Flickr
Scholarships abound for students and scholars interested in studying Scandinavian language and culture, both here at home or abroad in Scandinavia. At The Norwegian American, we are proud to offer a short list of opportunities in the Norwegian-American community.
Please note: Not all scholarship information has been updated for the 2020-21 year. Consult organizations’ websites for the most current information.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS & ASSOCIATIONS
CONCORDIA LANGUAGE VILLAGES
Several scholarships are offered for young people enrolling in Norwegian courses at Concordia Language Villages.
The Velkommen Stipend assists first-time residential Norwegian villagers.
The Tripp Trapp Fund provides scholarship assistance to Norwegian villagers who are stepping up from one level of the program to the next. For example, if a villager attended a one-week session during summer 2021 and would like to move up to a two-week session for summer 2022, they would qualify for this scholarship.
The Tove Irene Dahl Scholarship supports villager longevity in the program at Skogfjorden, while encouraging those same villagers to give back to the program in the form of a service project. Only villagers who have completed five or more years qualify for this scholarship.
Den Norske Torske Klubben provides scholarship and grant opportunities for young people to attend language and cultural camps, seminars, and other educational opportunities celebrating Scandinavian heritage. Norske Torske Klubben Foundation scholarships are now available for Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, and Danish villagers at Concordia Language Villages. Preference is given to members and their families, but applicants are not required to be a member.
The Passport Fund is a need-based scholarship for those who would like to study a language. Need is determined by family size and adjusted gross income (AGI), as well as special circumstances.
Deadlines vary: Mid- to late February through March
More info for Norwegian scholarships: www.concordialanguagevillages.org/youth-languages/norwegian-language-village/scholarships (Note: info not yet updated for 2021)
More info for general CLV scholarships: www.concordialanguagevillages.org/youth-dates-and-rates/costs-and-scholarships
FULBRIGHT NORWAY
The U.S. Fulbright scholar program offers a wide range of long- and short-term opportunities for U.S. citizens with a doctorate, other terminal degree, or substantial professional experience to conduct research and/or teach in Norway. The Fulbright student program offers stipends for students to carry out master- or doctorate-level studies or research in Norway and for students who would like to serve as English teaching assistants. Students who have already begun their studies at a Norwegian university in Norway are not eligible.
Deadline for Scholar Program: Sept. 15
Deadline for Student Program: Oct. 13
More info: fulbright.no/grants/grants-to-norway
IBSEN SOCIETY OF AMERICA
The undergraduate essay prize recognizes outstanding student essays that offer fresh ideas, new approaches, and insightful commentary on the dramatic works of Henrik Ibsen. We invite students to submit essays of at least 2000 words that were written as coursework in any type of undergraduate course during the academic year 2020-21. Students can submit their own essays with permission of the instructor, or instructors can nominate student essays with permission of the student. The author of the winning essay will be awarded $500, and there can be an honorable mention award of $250. The winner’s name will be posted on the Ibsen Society of America (ISA) website (ibsensociety.org). Essays will be judged by the council of the ISA.
Submission Deadline: June 1, 2021; send to Olivia Noble Gunn, ogunn@uw.edu
The graduate travel stipend [suspended for 2020-2021 due to coronavirus restrictions] has been established to encourage and assist graduate students in presenting their research on Ibsen at SASS, the annual Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Studies conference (to be held in Seattle in 2021). Three travel stipends of $250 will be awarded to graduate students who intend to present on any aspect of Ibsen’s life and work, on the historical and contemporary performance of his plays, or on scholarship on Ibsen across the academic disciplines. The council of the ISA will evaluate applications.
Submission deadline: N/A for 2020-21
More info: ibsensociety.org/isa-student-prizes
SOCIETY FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCANDINAVIAN STUDY (SASS)
The following are grants and awards sponsored by the Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study:
The Birgit Baldwin Fellowship in Scandinavian Studies. The Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study (SASS) is pleased to offer the Birgit Baldwin Fellowship in Scandinavian Studies, a grant to encourage the research and writing of dissertations for the PhD in topics concerned with Scandinavian (Nordic) literature or film that can most effectively be pursued in the archives and libraries of the Nordic countries. The stipend is $25,000 payable in two installments for travel to and living expenses in the Nordic region during one academic year. The application deadline is December 1 of the preceding year.
Deadline: Dec. 1 (yearly)
The Einar and Eva Lund Haugen Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is intended to support outstanding graduate students whose doctoral dissertation examines a Scandinavian or Scandinavian-American topic in the Social Sciences or History, broadly defined.
Deadline: Dec. 1 (yearly)
Aurora Borealis Prizes. Each year the Society honors graduate student contributions to our conference by awarding two student presenters the Aurora Borealis Prize for the best oral paper presentations, one in the category of History and Social Science, and one in Arts and Humanities. Nominations for the prizes will be accepted from members of the Society who are either faculty or independent scholars/artists.
Deadline: Summer (announced on SASS webpage)
More info: scandinavianstudy.org/awards-fellowships
FOUNDATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS
THE AMERICAN SCANDINAVIAN FOUNDATION
ASF offers fellowships (up to $23,000) and grants (up to $5,000) to U.S. residents to pursue research, study, or creative arts projects in one or more Scandinavian countries for up to one year. Applicants must have completed their undergraduate education by the start of their project in Scandinavia and have a well-defined project that makes a stay in Scandinavia essential.
Deadline: Nov. 1
More info: www.amscan.org/fellowships-and-grants/fellowshipsgrants-to-study-in-scandinavia
DAUGHTERS OF NORWAY GRAND LODGE
The Grand Lodge Daughters of Norway offers scholarships to full-time college, university, technical, or vocational students. The applicant should have at least sophomore standing, meet the grade requirement, and be a member of the Daughters of Norway or related to a member. The number of awards varies with the funds, but at least one award of $1,000 is offered each year.
Deadline: July 15
More info: www.daughtersofnorway.org/about/scholarships
LAKSELAGET
The Lakselaget Scholarship and Opportunity Fund was established to celebrate, encourage, and advance the organization’s motto, women who swim against the current.
Applicants for the Lakselaget Foundation Scholarship Fund should have an interest in contemporary Norway and a desire to develop their own interests in another field, such as the sciences, technology, business, politics, language, and culture, and who seek to disseminate their knowledge.
Applicants for the Lakselaget Foundation Opportunity or Work Study Fund should be in a work situation where a short-term position in a similar job in Norway would be beneficial to their career. This opportunity could be used to supplement funding for an international exchange or internship within the same field, or for a short-term work opportunity that provides a chance to learn about another country.
Deadline: Mar. 1, 2021
More info: www.lakselaget.org/index.php/foundation
LEIF ERIKSON LODGE NO. 1, SONS OF NORWAY FOUNDATION
Leif Erikson Lodge in Seattle announces the following scholarships:
Camp Normanna or Camp Nidaros Endowed LEL Scholarship Award with the Youth Camp Program for District 2 provides the recipient with a scholarship for 25 percent of the fee for either Camp Normanna near Everett, Wash., or Camp Nidaros near Seaside, Ore.
Camp Trollhaugen Endowed LEL Scholarship Award with the Youth Camp Program for District 2 provides the recipient with a scholarship for 25 percent of the camp fee.
Douglas Warne Vocational Scholarship will award a scholarship to an eligible person 18-25 attending or planning on attending an accredited technical, trade, or vocational program in Washington state.
Queen and Princess Scholarship Program awards two young women who represent the lodge as its queen and princess with awards of $1,000 and $400, respectively. The winners will represent Leif Erikson Lodge 2-001 in at least five events of their choosing during the year. The queen must be 18 by Aug. 1 and enrolled or accepted at an accredited college or university. The princess must be between 10 and 18.
Youth Camp Instructor/Counselor Grant for persons who can provide a positive camp experience for young people participating in the District 2 Sons of Norway Youth Camp Program.
Youth Leadership Award is for one young person 18-25 planning on attending an institution of higher learning or trade school. The amount of the award is $1,000.
Deadline: Mar. 30
More info: www.leiferiksonlodge.org/scholarships
NORDIC NORTHWEST
The Lucia, Queen of Light Scholarship program puts young women with and interest in Nordic heritage in touch with this beloved legend of Scandinavia, while offering them the opportunity to serve their community and receive Scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $1,000. The official Oregon Lucia is crowned each year at NNW’s ScanFair in December. Nordic Northwest accepts Lucia applications from young women with an interest in Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian or Swedish heritage between the ages of 16 and 20 (must be at least a junior in high school, unmarried and a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.).
The Lucia, Queen of Light Scholarship is unfortunately suspended this year, due to coronavirus limitations. Nordic Northwest looks forward to offering the scholarship again in 2021.
More info: www.nordicnorthwest.org/lucia-scholarship
THE NORWAY AMERICA ASSOCIATION
Every year, NORAM offers up to 10 scholarships to American students planning to study or currently studying full-time in Norway at the graduate level. The amounts vary from NOK 10,000 to NOK 40,000 (approx. $1,100 – $4,400). The project description must be of academic merit, and the project must be feasible within the framework proposed.
Deadline: Apr. 1
More info: noram.no/en/scholarship-americans
NORWEGIAN-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SEATTLE
The Greater Seattle Chapter of the NACC offers the Leif Eie Scholarship in the amount of $2,000. This scholarship is intended to promote trade, commerce, and other professional relations between Norway, Washington State, and the Pacific Northwest. Priority is given to applicants whose course of study is in business or the professions. All applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and maintain a C+ grade point average or its equivalent.
Deadline: May 8, 2020
More info: www.naccseattle.org/objectives-of-scholarship-program
THE NORWEGIAN CHILDREN’S HOME ASSOCIATION IN BROOKLYN, N.Y.
This organization offers grants to students ages 17 to 23 with at least 25 percent Norwegian heritage who are enrolled in or accepted to a full-time program of study at an American undergraduate school.
Deadline: Apr. 15
More info (PDF): https://www.nch-assoc.org/apply
NORWEGIAN COMMERCIAL CLUB, SEATTLE
The Norwegian Commercial Club offers four scholarship awards totaling approximately $18,000. The first is for a $5,000 cash-only award sent to the educational institute of the award recipient. The second award for $5,000 includes the cash award and one round trip airline ticket to Oslo, Norway, for study in Scandinavia. This ticket is supported by IcelandAir. The third award for $5,000 is an NCC Fisheries Scholarship available to high school seniors or graduate students seeking to pursue a career in fisheries management or fisheries research in the Pacific Northwest or Alaska, or to students in fishery technical schools, such as the Maritime Academy. The fourth scholarship is for tuition and expenses for the International Summer School at the University of Oslo. The ISS scholarship is limited to students who live or attend school in Washington.
Deadline: Apr. 5
More info: www.norwegiancommercialclub.org/scholarships
NORWEGIAN LADIES CHORUS OF SEATTLE
The Norwegian Ladies Chorus of Seattle is offering two awards totaling up to $1,500. These merit-based scholarships promote the musical endeavors of students in the Norwegian community. Priority is given to applicants whose course of study is music or related fields that ideally relate to Norway.
Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., residing in the greater Seattle area, enrolled in high school, university, or college in the Pacific Northwest with a demonstrable knowledge of music, and must have a minimum of a C+ grade point average or equivalent.
Deadline: May 1
More info: www.nlcofseattle.org/scholarships
THE NORWEGIAN NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CHICAGO
To encourage the study of Norwegian heritage the Norwegian National League has developed and administers a scholarship program open to children of Norwegian descent in grades 1 – 12. College-bound seniors are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship and younger students are eligible for additional cash prizes. Older students must submit an original essay on a Norwegian topic, and students in grades 1 – 4 must submit an original drawing depicting a Norwegian topic. Applicants must reside in the Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Kendall, McHenry, or Will.
Deadline: Mar. 1
More info: www.nnleague.org/scholarships.html
NORWEGIAN SOCIETY OF TEXAS
The NST Scholarship Program provides financial assistance with focus on increasing membership, promoting member activity and loyalty, and developing future NST leaders. In 2019, NST is offering three academic scholarships, each in the amount of $1,000, for incoming college students, continuing-education students, and post-graduate students.
Deadline: Jan. 15
SEATTLE SWEDISH COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS, SEATTLE
The Seattle Swedish Community Scholarships are currently on hiatus for the 2020-2021 academic year. Please check back next year. For more infomration, see www.norwegianamerican.com/sscs.
SONS OF NORWAY FOUNDATION
Douglas Warne – Rolf & Wenche Eng Scholarship: This scholarship assists with the costs of tuition, room and board for qualified applicants to attend educational institutions in Norway. Current American or Canadian members of the Sons of Norway or Rotary may apply, as well as their children or grandchildren. Students without family members in the organizations may select an advocate or representative from either one to sponsor their application. The award is open to applicants of any age who have completed one full year of college-level work, or have been accepted by a post-secondary institution in Norway, including but not limited to craft, folk, music, theatre, or technical schools, Oslo International Summer School, or undergraduate colleges/universities in Norway. Applicants need not be currently attending school to apply.
Helen Tronvold Adult Learner Scholarship: This award is available to current Sons of Norway members over 40 who won a Sons of Norway annuity or insurance product with the intention to take academic or cultural/heritage classes in Norway.
Helen Tronvold Norwegian Folk High School Scholarship: This scholarship provides cross-cultural experiences for youth and is available to current members of Sons of Norway or their children or grandchildren. Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 26 with proof of enrollment in a folk high school in Norway.
King Olav V Norwegian-American Heritage Scholarship: Its purpose is to fund activities in which American and Norwegian heritages are explored, studied, and shared. Any American, age 17 or older, who is major or minoring in Norwegian or Scandinavian studies or enrolling in an accredited program in Norway who has demonstrated an interest in Norwegian-American heritage or those who have a certificate of completion from high school and are enrolled in a recognized educational institution (arts, crafts, literature, history, music, folklore, etc.) can apply. Applicants must show proof of enrollment prior to receiving scholarship funding.
Lund Fund Scholarship: This scholarship is for a current Sons of Norway member, child, or grandchild of a current member who demonstrates a keen interest in a post-high school study abroad experience. They must hold a certificate of completion from high school and be enrolled in a recognized educational institution abroad or a study abroad program facilitated by an accredited college or university in the United States.
Myrtle Beinhauer Fund: Two scholarships will be awarded from this fund annually for undergraduate studies in any major. The awards are open to current members of Sons of Norway or children or grandchildren of current members in Sons of Norway. They must have completed high school and be enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States.
Nancy Lorraine Jensen Memorial Fund: This merit-based scholarship encourages young women to enter the field of science and engineering. It is open to female members or the daughter or granddaughter of a member of the Sons of Norway, provided that such membership has been in effect for at least three years. The applicant must be an American citizen between 17 and 25 years old who is a full-time undergraduate who has completed at least one term as a major in chemistry, physics, or chemical, electrical, or mechanical engineering. The applicant must have attained an SAT score of 1800 with a math score over 600, or an ACT score of at least 26.
Orel and Marie Winjum Memorial Scholarship: This award assists with tuition costs for American citizens with Norwegian or German heritage who have applied to or are enrolled in an accredited four-year college or university or two-year community college in the U.S. Applicants must be 17 or older and have completed or be about to graduate from high school with GPA of 2.5 or higher. Adult students are also welcome to apply.
Oslo International Summer School Scholarship: The Sons of Norway Foundation offers a scholarship to Oslo International Summer School annually for $1,500 for current members of Sons of Norway or their children or grandchildren who are graduated from high school.
Bernt Anker Scholarship: This four-year scholarship is meant to support college students without parents or with single parents. Applicants must be between 17 and 25 years old and must have applied to or be enrolled in an accredited, four-year, post-secondary institution or a two-year community college with the intent of continuing toward an undergraduate degree in the US. Preference will be given to students without parents or students raised by single parents.
Astrid G. Cates Vocational Scholarship: This tuition-assistance scholarship is open to applicants who are current members of Sons of Norway or children or grandchildren of current members who are United States citizens. They must be between the ages of 17 – 26 and enrolled in post-secondary training or vocational/trade school or have proof of enrollment prior to receiving scholarship funding.
Dan and Betty Rude Scholarship: This tuition-assistance scholarship is open to applicants who are American citizens are enrolled in an accredited, four-year, post-secondary institution and majoring in elementary education. They must be between the ages of 17 – 26 and have attained at least one year of post-secondary credit with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
Deadlines for Sons of Norway Foundation scholarships vary. The earliest deadlines are Jan. 15. All applications open Oct. 1, annually.
More info and further application requirements: www.sofn.com/foundation/scholarships
Overview of Sons of Norway Foundation scholarships (PDF): www.sofn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Foundation_Scholarship-Grid-updated-02.19.pdf
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Most colleges and universities that offer Norwegian and other Scandinavian languages have scholarships for students enrolled in their programs. If you are or are considering attending one of these colleges or universities, you would be eligible for these scholarships and grants. Note that some information may be outdated. If you have questions, contact the program.
PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY
PLU offers the following scholarships and awards to qualified students enrolled in Nordic Studies programs:
SCC Endowed Neil Anderson Merit Scholarship ($4000), for Scandinavian Area Studies and Norwegian majors
SCC Endowed Susan E. Young Study in Scandinavia Award ($4000)
SCC Endowed Faculty-Student Research ($1200); Study Away Award ($2000).
Deadline: early April (yearly)
More info: www.plu.edu/languages/nordic-studies/scholarships-awards/
ST. OLAF COLLEGE
St. Olaf’s Department of Norwegian offers the following scholarships for St. Olaf students:
Rand Scholarship. The Rand Scholar Award is designed to foster undergraduate research in the life and culture of Norway. The award, in the amount of $5000, is offered each year to the St. Olaf student who presents the best proposal for a 300-level independent research course focusing on some aspect of Norwegian life.
Deadline in spring (yearly)
Tweet-Rolvaag-Zempel Scholarship. For study in Norway. Application automatic with study abroad application procedure.
More info: wp.stolaf.edu/norwegian/st-olaf-scholarships
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY, DEPT. OF SCANDINAVIAN
UC, Berkeley’s Department of Scandinavian offers two awards each year to deserving students majoring in Scandinavian
The Departmental Citation can be given to one student each year who has done outstanding academic work (minimum GPA of 3.5) in either the Scandinavian or Celtic Studies major.
The Lundberg Prize is a Department of Scandinavian award recognizing excellence in scholarship by a graduating senior who has majored in Scandinavian.
The Lundberg Travel Grant invites students who have taken coursework in the department to apply for grants to subsidize travel to study-abroad programs anywhere in the Nordic region, either for summer or semester-long programs. One grant in the amount of $1500 will be available each year in this competition, if funding allows.
Deadline: Feb. 1 (yearly)
More info: scandinavian.berkeley.edu/programs/undergraduate/awards-scholarships-and-grants
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, DEPT. OF GERMAN, SCANDINAVIAN, & DUTCH
The Mary Ann Wilson Hansen Scholarship in Scandinavian Studies offers $3,000 awards for up to two students with a Scandinavian emphasis (one of these is reserved for a student of Swedish). The awards are based on merit, with some consideration for financial need and priority given to students who have not previously received our scholarships. Applicants must have completed at least a 1003 or higher course in Norwegian, Swedish, or Finnish.
Deadlines are announced in spring semester.
More info: cla.umn.edu/gnsd/undergraduate/scholarships-grants/scandinavian
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, DEPT. OF SCANDINAVIAN STUDIES
The University of Washington Department of Scandinavian Studies offers 10 scholarships for its undergraduate and graduate students in Norwegian language, literature, and area studies, in varying amounts between $1,500 and $23,000.
Deadlines vary
More info: scandinavian.washington.edu/scholarships
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, DEPT. OF GERMAN, NORDIC, AND SLAVIC
The University of Wisconsin Department of German, Nordic, and Slavic offers several scholarships and grants to qualified students enrolled in the program.
Deadlines vary
More info: gns.wisc.edu/scholarships
